Testimonials

Don’t take our word for it… hear from some of our members on their experiences at WAIMA, we have many great success stories to share on how martial arts has transformed people’s lives.

Ayden had his orange belt graduation today and is so proud. He is sitting here at the moment writing a letter to Will to ask to join the black belt club! Bless martial arts is totally changing him. Before Terrance chatted to him him was on negative 6 at school and now he is on a positive 20! For Ayden to write a letter is even more amazing. Thanks for Martial arts you guys are changing one boy’s life for sure.

Tammy Donlevy

I am writing this as I sit and watch my grand-daughter Kat do her training at WAIMA in Dojo 2. Just a few minutes ago my other grand-daughter Isabel finished her training session over in Dojo 1. It never ceases to amaze me how much fun all the children have whilst learning valuable life lessons. I have watched the girls gain confidence and grow over the past few weeks.

Kat who is 13 and tall for her age, used to stoop because of her height. She was self conscious about it. From the day she put on her Ghi (uniform) her whole posture changed. Through the encouragement of her Instructors and Mentors, she is now proud of herself and carries herself with poise and pride. A big thanks to Instructors Terrence, Norman, Briana, Jess, Rebecca, Andrew and Nicholas who have guided her so far. Also a big thanks to the leadership volunteers, especially Caitlin and Mikey who have encouraged her. Because of you all she now very proudly wears her Yellow Belt. You saw something very special in her in the early days and have brought that out in her. Thank You.

Isabel has also progressed very well having gained her first black tip on her white belt this month. She started a little later than Kat. Initially she was very uncoordinated, but thanks to exceptional skills of Briana and her team dealing with youngsters like Isabel, who is 7, she now pays attention and informs me that he is trying very hard to gain her next tip and her Focus badge.(Focus being Isabel’s main challenge in life. Ha-ha).

Being a retired teacher, I have sat on many occasions and watched how the Instructors teach the skills to the students. They not only teach Martial Art skills, they are also very competent at teaching life skills such as bullying, and how to deal with it. They teach that Martial Arts are not just in the Dojo. They encourage good behavior in their students at home and school also. In fact if the Instructors know about it, there are special badges that are awarded for home and school behavior.

The Instructor to student ratio is amazing. There are consistently 5 or 6 instructors in every class and as such there are always a pair of eyes on the children to help them out. It is a great credit to Graham and Phil that everyone is made to feel part of the WAIMA ‘family’ at Greenwood. Not only the students, but the parents as well are made to feel welcome as well. A big thank you also goes to Julia for your help and assistance organizing everything for us.

The girls and I look forward to a long association with you all at WAIMA and thank you for your care, inspiration and skills that you convey to us all.

With many thanks.

Janet Collins

Nearly six years ago, I was like every other pregnant woman, excited for the arrival of their firstborn, then six months into my pregnancy something wasn’t right.

At 29 weeks, Alfie came bounding into the world, he couldn’t breath and was pretty sick. As he grows in intensive care, we were told the grim truth of what could be Alfie’s future at its worst. Luckily, he did better than predicted but I wrapped him in cotton wool, so little and fragile. As he grew the complications came to the fore, and Alfie endured many operations and hospital stays, some for months. He was so sick and fragile, I furthermore wrapped him in cotton wool, what was cold for most people was a lengthy hospital stay for Alfie.

By the age of three, it was apparent what I did may have been to Alfie’s detriment as he wouldn’t leave my side, go to anyone else, and this made things difficult. I tried to get him to have swimming lessons but after 12 weeks of screaming and vomiting in the pool, we were asked to leave the school with a full refund. We tried different things to give him confidence not to be stuck to me but with no luck.

Alfie started school, and he was happy and the separation was acceptable to him but it was only part-time. I wondered how he would cope being full-time at school, but he proved me wrong, and he excelled. We finally thought we cracked it, but I was clearly wrong. Alfie agreed to try soccer lessons for me, we paid our $400 and turned up every week for training and every week he hung to me like his life depended on it. A mum who didn’t know the situation pointed out to me that ‘you get what you give’ and she was right, I made Alfie like this, I stole his self-confidence and I felt awful.

The situation came to a head when a school mum SMS’d me to say that her daughter told her that a child was beating Alfie up. The school knew of the situation, and we’re trying to help but due to issues beyond their control there was only so much they could do. That is when the Britten family suggested we tried martial arts. I cringed, I knew this would be another waste of money, resulting a stressed Alfie, a stressed, heartbroken, guilt ridden and defeated mum.

We arranged for Alfie to go to the same Martial Arts lesson as Benjamin. Phil looked at Alfie while I did paperwork. When I came out of the office, I was shocked to see Alfie taking part in the class, and he was SMILING. I rang my hubby who didn’t believe me!!! I wondered if it was a one off but Tuesday came, and it was more of the same, he willingly ran into class and joined in. No clinging, no tears, no tantrums, no nothing. My baby was doing it!!

The Martial Arts class gave him confidence and with a one on one chat with Briana about bullying we went home full of optimism. The next day I was called to see the teacher, my heart sank, I was expecting to hear the more bad news, but that’s wasn’t the case. Alfie had used his new skill to yell at his bully to ‘back off’. That was enough to send the bully running scared. Alfie was proud of himself, not as proud as us.

It’s odd, since starting martial arts training, there has been a change in my son, not only confidence but something else. Alfie was so well-behaved for everyone else, but at home, he could be a nightmare, but now, well, I can’t recall the last temper tantrum, meltdown, general bad behaviour. I don’t know why or how but I am not arguing; it is making my life easier. I don’t need to ask a million times now; I get please and thank you without prompting and no arguments about bed time.

This morning I got up to him fully dressed and vacuuming the floor!!! The change in my son is so noticeable that when my hubby came home from site, he asked what was wrong with Alfie!! I am so grateful to WAIMA for making this change in my son. I no longer feel like a failure and am watching the confidence build and a beautiful young man blossom.

“Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person“.

Leanne Scott

Ever since the day we walked into the Dojo, George has been enthusiastic about attending his Ninja Ru class each week. Not only has he made new friends but he has improved in so many areas of his development. His motor skills have become more defined, his balance, his co-ordination are even better but most of all he has developed a crucial discipline and a genuine respect for others.

He brings home all of his new moves which we love watching him demonstrate but he now always wants to help because it’s good to ‘work together’ and do ‘team work’.

George’s instructor Rebecca is one of a kind, full of respect for the children, she explains things to them in a way that they will understand and she gets good feedback from them all, one day, no doubt, she’ll be a fantastic mum running a very tight ship! All of the instructors do a great job and are very patient, because no two children are the same and they deal with them as individuals.

The monthly ‘star grading’ is a very important date in George’s mind, he tries hard at everything he is asked to do and is always encouraged by his peers.

I can’t recommend WAIMA Currambine enough, it’s good fun and fitness for children, great discipline and it is always teaching them very important skills that will stay with them for life and George loves it, he is very proud of his very first Martial Arts uniform.
Keep up the great work…

Clare Diable

I am just writing to express how happy I am I chose WAIMA to start my son’s martial arts experience.
I decided to take my son to karate after he came home crying one day after being bullied at school, in Pre-Primary (five years old).

My son is a peaceful, gentle child who would never hurt anyone. I was devastated and thought I have to do something about it. Hence joining WAIMA.

My son has now been training at WAIMA for over 6 months and not only really enjoys it, it has been great for his confidence and fitness.

Two weeks ago, my son came home and told me he had been bullied at school. An older child had approached him at recess and was pushing him around.

He told me with confidence and pride that he told him to ‘Back Off, he did not want to fight!’ and the bully walked away.

I was so proud of him, not only for telling me, but for putting his training into action. He too was so proud and it reinforced that he could stand up for himself.

Thanks again for teaching him the skills to stop him from being bullied.

– Clare Diable

Ever since the day we walked into the Dojo, George has been enthusiastic about attending his Ninja Ru class each week. Not only has he made new friends but he has improved in so many areas of his development. His motor skills have become more defined, his balance, his co-ordination are even better but most of all he has developed a crucial discipline and a genuine respect for others.

He brings home all of his new moves which we love watching him demonstrate but he now always wants to help because it’s good to ‘work together’ and do ‘team work’.

George’s instructor Rebecca is one of a kind, full of respect for the children, she explains things to them in a way that they will understand and she gets good feedback from them all, one day, no doubt, she’ll be a fantastic mum running a very tight ship! All of the instructors do a great job and are very patient, because no two children are the same and they deal with them as individuals.

The monthly ‘star grading’ is a very important date in George’s mind, he tries hard at everything he is asked to do and is always encouraged by his peers.

I can’t recommend WAIMA Currambine enough, it’s good fun and fitness for children, great discipline and it is always teaching them very important skills that will stay with them for life and George loves it, he is very proud of his very first Martial Arts uniform.
Keep up the great work…

Clare Diable

Ninja Ru Testimonials

Ever since the day we walked into the Dojo, George has been enthusiastic about attending his Ninja Ru class each week. Not only has he made new friends but he has improved in so many areas of his development. His motor skills have become more defined, his balance, his co-ordination are even better but most of all he has developed a crucial discipline and a genuine respect for others.

He brings home all of his new moves which we love watching him demonstrate but he now always wants to help because it’s good to ‘work together’ and do ‘team work’.

George’s instructor Rebecca is one of a kind, full of respect for the children, she explains things to them in a way that they will understand and she gets good feedback from them all, one day, no doubt, she’ll be a fantastic mum running a very tight ship! All of the instructors do a great job and are very patient, because no two children are the same and they deal with them as individuals.

The monthly ‘star grading’ is a very important date in George’s mind, he tries hard at everything he is asked to do and is always encouraged by his peers.

I can’t recommend WAIMA Currambine enough, it’s good fun and fitness for children, great discipline and it is always teaching them very important skills that will stay with them for life and George loves it, he is very proud of his very first Martial Arts uniform.
Keep up the great work…